MEMORISE:
“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid; and for joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. Matthew 13:44
READ: Matthew 6:19-21
19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:
20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:
21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
MESSAGE
The problem with some 21st Century Christians is that they do not know the value of heavenly investments, which yield dividends both in this life and eternally. This is unfortunate because they focus more on earthly investments and this is the exact opposite of our Lord’s injunction in our Bible text today. Earthly investments are prone to corruption. Jesus explains in the parable of the rich fool that choosing earthly investments over heavenly ones is not wise.
“...then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided? So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.” Luke 12:20-21
The Bible also says:
“Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? for riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven.” Proverbs 23:5
A story was told of a young man who was attacked by hoodlums on his way home, the very night he gave his life to Jesus Christ. They asked him, “Your money or your life: which do you want to surrender?” To their amazement, the young man said “I am sorry; I do not have either of the two things you are asking for!” The gang leader, out of curiosity at the response of the young man asked “What do you mean you do not have life or money to surrender?” The young man replied “I am just coming from church where the pastor persuaded me to give my life to Christ and I did. At the end of the service, I was also asked to give my substance to God’s work and I emptied my pockets for the work of Jesus who saved me without any charge!” The leader said “I see, because you have amused me this evening, I will let you go, but next time, always remember to reserve something for us!” As funny as this story may sound, it carriers an eternal truth: Investing in the Kingdom of God is the best decision you can ever make as it yields both earthly and heavenly rewards.
CALL TO ACTION:
God bless you as you invest in His Kingdom.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Genesis 41-42
AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE
HYMN 2: ALL TO JESUS I SURRENDER.
1. All to Jesus I surrender,
All to Him I freely give;
I will ever love and trust Him,
In His presence daily live.
o Refrain:
I surrender all,
I surrender all;
All to Thee, my blessed Savior,
I surrender all.
2. All to Jesus I surrender,
Humbly at His feet I bow;
Worldly pleasures all forsaken,
Take me, Jesus, take me now.
3. All to Jesus I surrender,
Make me, Savior, wholly Thine;
Let me feel the Holy Spirit,
Truly know that Thou art mine.
4. All to Jesus I surrender,
Lord, I give myself to Thee;
Fill me with Thy love and power,
Let Thy blessing fall on me.
5. All to Jesus I surrender,
Now I feel the sacred flame;
Oh, the joy of full salvation!
Glory, glory, to His Name!
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